Smokers who can quit for 28 days are five times more likely to stop permanently than those who give up earlier.....

Smokers who can quit for 28 days are five times more likely to stop permanently than those who give up earlier.

This month, the nation's eight million smokers are being urged to quit for good – for the sake of their health, the health of people around them and even their bank balance.

An average adult smoking 13 cigarettes each day will save nearly £2000 a year if they manage to quit.

Tough challenge

But quitting can be hard. Professor Kevin Fenton, the national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, which is overseeing the campaign, explains: 'Facing quitting alone can be an isolating experience, but when you sign up to Stoptober you will not be alone.

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'Many thousands of people will be quitting at the same time and there is a range of free support available to help smokers complete the 28-day challenge and take the first steps necessary to quit for good.

'We know that even taking the first step of trying to quit can be daunting. Research shows that two thirds of smokers say they want to quit, but only four in 10 have tried in the last year. This is despite the well-known health, monetary and social benefits of going smoke-free.'

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Deborah Arnott, chief executive of charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), added: 'Around two–thirds of smokers say they want to quit, but we know most find it hard to do so.'

Health risks

The British Heart Foundation is one of the major health charities backing the campaign. Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack compared with people who have never smoked.

Julia Ward, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), explains: 'Smoking damages the lining of your arteries, leading to a build-up of fatty material (atheroma) which narrows the artery. This can cause angina, a heart attack or a stroke.

'Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke can reduce the amount of oxygen transported in the blood, which forces the heart to work harder and nicotine stimulates the body to produce adrenaline, which causes the heart to beat faster and raises blood pressure.'

Top tips

She advises smokers to follow simple tips if they want to succeed in quitting for the long term.

Make a date to give up – and stick to it! Throw away all your tobacco, lighters and ashtrays.

Make a plan. Think about what could help you stop smoking, such as using a nicotine-replacement product, and have it ready before the date you plan to stop.

Get support and let your family and friends know that you're quitting. Some people find that talking to friends and relatives who have stopped can be helpful. You can also talk to your doctor, practice nurse, pharmacist, or one of the organisations listed below about what support is available to you.

Keep busy to help take your mind off cigarettes. Try to change your routine, and avoid the shop where you normally buy cigarettes.

Treat yourself. If you can, use the money you're saving by not smoking to buy yourself something special.

'The benefits will be enormous. 'Within a few hours, early health benefits start showing and within days and weeks, the body starts to recover. Studies show that people who quit smoking have much lower rates of heart disease.'

The e-cigarette debate

Millions of former smokers are switching to e-cigarettes, which are up to 99 per cent less harmful than smoking tobacco versions, according to a recent report published in July 2013 by researchers at the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health School of Public Health at Drexel University.

However, some people worry that electronic cigarettes don't solve the problem of nicotine addiction and could even encourage youngsters to take up the habit.

The Department of Health in Britain currently offers no advice concerning the use of e-cigarettes

They say that anyone with concerns should approach Trading Standards or the Advertising Standards Authority.

This could change if the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) goes ahead and regulates e-cigarettes as a medicinal product.

However, the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, says it remains concerned about e-cigarettes and welcomes plans to regulate them properly.

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Stoptober and go sober: As well as doing something amazing for those who need it most, you will be rewarded by the great health benefits that come from ridding your body.

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.

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